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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
THE Warriors’ preparations for Sunday’s African Nations Championship (Chan) final qualifier against Lesotho at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo kicked off as scheduled yesterday with injuries being the only worry coach Callisto Pasuwa lamented.

Out of the 24 players called into camp, 18 attended the national team’s first training session held at White City Stadium yesterday morning.

The six players that missed training were the Hwange duo of goalkeeper Takabva Mawaya and forward Pritchard Mphelele, Dynamos midfielder Ronald Chitiyo, injured Harare City midfielder Talent Chawapihwa and Caps United defenders Justice Jangano and Hardlife Zvirekwi.

Mphelele and Mawaya were only released by their club yesterday morning following a delay by Zifa in sending the call-up letter to Hwange.

The pair arrived in the City of Kings just after lunch hour with their coach Nation Dube and attended the afternoon training session. Dube is the Warriors’ assistant coach.

Addressing journalists after the morning training session, Pasuwa said Harare City had informed him that Chawapihwa was injured and has now been ruled out of the Lesotho game.

Pasuwa expressed concerns about Zvirekwi, Jangano and Chitiyo’s absence saying it was affecting his plans for Sunday’s encounter.

“Every day is important in as far as preparing for national team games is concerned.

“Remember we’re playing a Lesotho side that has been playing together for a while and we can’t underestimate them because there are no longer small teams in football,” said Pasuwa.

“I think they’ve an advantage over us in that their players have been together for the Afcon, Chan, Cosafa and World Cup qualifiers, while our players report late for duty. I think it’s high time players take national team call-ups seriously because arriving late for camp makes our preparations difficult.

“There are some drills that I want to do with the defence, but you find that some defenders (Zvirekwi and Jangano) are not here.

“Players don’t even bother communicating to let us know what’s holding them back.”

Pasuwa could be forced to make late call-ups today in the event that Zvirekwi, Jangano and Chitiyo fail to report for training this morning.

The national team gaffer, who guided Zimbabwe to the final qualifying round following a 2-0 aggregate win over Comoros Islands, also revealed that six players in camp were carrying knocks picked from last weekend’s PSL games.

Dynamos’ striker Roderick Mutuma limped off in the morning training session nursing what seemed to be a groin injury.

Captain Danny “Deco” Phiri also did not finish the training session with indications that he had an ankle injury.

“Six guys have knocks which we’ll be assessing as the week progresses. Mutuma seems to be carrying a serious injury and we’ll see what to do in the coming days,” said Pasuwa.

He could not be drawn into disclosing some of the players carrying knocks.

In the absence of Mutuma, Pasuwa still has lethal attacking options in joint PSL leading goal scorers Knox Mutizwa of Highlanders, who was a late inclusion, as well as Chicken Inn’s Edmore Chirambadare.

The two have each found the back of the net 11 times in the league this season.

Also competing for striking positions are Brian Muzondiwa of FC Platinum and Mphelele.

Pasuwa has named a fairly balanced squad dominated by Castle Lager Premier Soccer League leaders Chicken Inn with five players, Phiri, Chirambadare, Elvis Chipezeze, Raphael Kutinyu and Lawrence Mhlanga.

Pasuwa would want to join other elite coaches by qualifying for the tournament in style through securing a comfortable lead ahead of the second leg set for Maseru on the weekend of October 23-25.

Zimbabwe have never missed a Chan tournament since it was launched in 2009.

Meanwhile, Pasuwa has praised the accommodation offered to his side to prepare for the Lesotho game.

“When we arrived last night (Monday), we were accommodated at an upmarket lodge which is ok. We’re happy with where we’re staying and we’re looking forward to a good training week,” said Pasuwa.

Warriors Chan squad in camp

Goalkeepers: Elvis Chipezeze (Chicken Inn), Takabva Mawaya (Hwange), Donovan Bernard (How Mine)

Defenders: Blessing Moyo (Dynamos), Bruce Kangwa (Highlanders), Ocean Mushure, (Dynamos), Teenage Hadebe (Highlanders), Lawrence Mhlanga (Chicken Inn)

Midfielders: Tichaona Chipunza (Triangle), Danny Phiri, Tafadzwa Kutinyu (Chicken Inn), Raphael Manuvire (ZPC Kariba), Malvern Gaki (Triangle) , Marshal Mudehwe (FC Platinum), Nqobizitha Masuku (Highlanders)

Strikers: Pritchard Mphelele (Hwange), Brian Muzondiwa (FC Platinum), Edmore Chirambadare (Chicken Inn), Roderick Mutuma (Dynamos), Knox Mutizwa (Highlanders)

Players not in camp

Defenders: Hardlife Zvirekwi (Caps United), Justice Jangano (Caps United)

Midfielders: Ronald Chitiyo (Dynamos), Talent Chawapihwa (Harare City)